Success Advice
Why Preparation is the Key to All Success
Preparation takes three basic forms: sacrifice, starting, and training through experience

If “luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” then every business is simply “lucky.” That doesn’t seem right. I believe that when opportunity and preparation meet, timing trumps luck. In that moment when it all comes together, and you become an “overnight success,” the world seems to forget about one thing: the cost.
All those sleepless nights, personal sacrifices, long road trips, skipped vacations, and missed chances, don’t they? But the sacrifices are the real story. They are the preparation. So when opportunity comes knocking, the question is not, are you lucky? The real question is: are you ready?
Sure, some moments seem lucky. Look at the entrepreneurial history of the last 30 years, of course, there is some luck involved. There will always be those “kick me” moments – those opportunities you saw, but didn’t take.
Maybe you missed moving to Silicon Valley in ‘95. Investing in the dot.com industry back when dial-up meant AOL chat room chats with your girlfriend. Or collecting domains like candy when they were cheaper than M & Ms.
But regardless of which opportunities you might look back and hate that you missed, any business owner worth his or her salt has a list just as long of chances he or she did take. Choices are made from those quick, gut decisions, chiseled from years of preparation.
They pay off. Just maybe not as much as buying Amazon at $18 in 1997.
Ultimately, preparation takes three basic forms: sacrifice, starting, and training through experience.
Sacrifice
One part of early entrepreneurial life that those on the sidelines, or those not yet in the game don’t understand, is the sacrifices. With a start up, everyone around you suffers. It’s balls to the wall, 24-7. If you’re young, you’re not having the same kinds of weekends as your friends.
You’re not waking up Monday with a hangover. You’re traveling through Tulsa, and Milwalkee, and Reno. Family, friends, your network … they are all sacrificed to your tunnel vision. In many ways, it has to be. Now, some will disagree. They will suggest you delegate early, but when you’re a one-man-band, you don’t even know what you need to know to delegate until it’s in front of you.
When you’ve got a singular goal, you’ve got to keep your head down. No looking up for air.
Preparation always comes before you need it. You don’t prepare for a triathlon at the white start line. You can’t begin benching 300 without a spotter on your first go. Those hours are always what are going to create the preparation needed for when opportunity presents itself.
Because you have to be confident in this: that if you are singularly focused on your goal, you will meet opportunity. It will meet you. Your paths will cross. And when they do, shoot your shot. Don’t let it pass you by. Like Wayne Gretzky says, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Small beginnings
There’s a proverb that says “don’t despise the day of small beginnings.” You may have a quirky little idea you’d like to begin on the side. Maybe it’s a passion project or a side hustle. You’re not sure it will go very far, and honestly, you just want to see what you can create.
Well, this small thing you begin on the side might only begin by generating 1-2 thousand bucks on the side. If you’re consistent and pour into it every month, before you know it, you might find a way to scale it and turn it into a multi-six or seven-figure business.
If it’s content, maybe you have a friend who loves writing. They’ve been writing for free. You come along and offer them a few hundred a month, or even $25 a post. Now you’re both happy. Now you’re building.
You took action on one little thing, picked up the phone with a friend, and said, “Hey, maybe we should start this idea.” Next thing you know, it’s eight years down the line, and you’re selling that company and making real money.
It doesn’t have to start as a massive goal, it can start from humble beginnings and evolve into a something great.
Young age does not disqualify you
Some assume that you have to put in your dues for years or decades to see success and earn the big bucks. As if you have to be 35 or 40 to really start winning. But you can make some really great business moves even at a young age.
The early dot-comers did this. The domain generals did this. So if you’re reading this as a 21, 22, 23 year old, know this: you’re not a child anymore. Age is not a disqualifier.
Opportunity meeting preparation has nothing to do with your age. It just has to do with the amount of action that you’re taking. Silence the internal bias about how young you are and how much success you can have.
If you’re always prepared for the opportunity, the timing will happen. The question is: are you performing your best today and really trying to push the limits toward your goals? Or are you assuming you’ll have time later?
Because when the opportunity comes, if you’re not prepared, you’re behind the eight ball.
The risk, the thrill of the deal, is exactly what keeps some top players coming back for more. It’s what keeps people like Shane Brinkerhoff, CEO of RevCatch, returning day after day to the game, even after he’s made his millions. He’s a self-identified “deal junkie.” It’s not really the money made that’s the goal (although, don’t get me wrong; it’s a big deal to make a big deal).
It’s the thrill of the hunt, the chase, that really gets the heart racing. That’s the fun. That’s the why. The process is the fulfillment, not necessarily the end result. Part of winning in business is enjoying it so much you do it even when you could quit.
“I believe that people make their own luck by great preparation and good strategy.” – Jack Canfield
Chasing the goal gives a business owner self-worth. That’s what gives purpose. Some entrepreneurs may think that the goal of the game is riches. And that means that opportunity plus preparation equals freedom. And that’d be right. But freedom alone doesn’t get the job done anymore. It’s actually pretty boring.
It’s the opposite of how I want to spend my days. My goal is to serve others with integrity, stay in the game, and make life better for myself, my family, and those around me.
If I “retire” for a year – or five – who is going to provide for them? Who is going to improve their lives? Heck, who is going to improve mine? Because my golf game is only going to improve so much over a year, and I’m not Tiger Woods.
I don’t aim to be. Kale Goodman and I, of The Real Business Owners, hope to equip as many entrepreneurs as possible to be 6 and 7 figure business owners and to keep expanding our own vision. You can’t do that hanging out at the beach all day.
Opportunity, when it comes, needs to be met with preparation, and a sharp eye to recognize the signs of the times. For Brinkerhoff, that meant scratching a napkin at McDonalds with plans that ended up becoming the start of something big – back in 1997.
It may not seem like a massive idea, but buying all the states dot.com domains eventually turned into a very profitable idea.
Every moment in your life prepares you – one way or another – for your next steps. It decides the odds of your chances, when opportunity comes. How have you spent your time? Have you prepared? Have you worked to be your best each day?
Can opportunity find you? If you keep your head down, sacrifice and keep focused, your opportunity and preparation might just meet – at the perfect time.
Change Your Mindset
The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers
Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

Why Daily Rituals Matter
Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)
Did You Know
How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub
Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution. (more…)
Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
-
Research your topic at night.
-
Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
-
Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
-
A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
-
A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
Success Advice
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
-
Change Your Mindset3 weeks ago
7 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Success
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
-
Business2 weeks ago
The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires
-
Business2 weeks ago
What Every Fitness Business Owner Needs To Know About Relocating Their Gym
-
Personal Development1 week ago
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident